THORPE PARTNERS LTD

What THORPE PARTNERS LTD does

Thorpe & Partners (trading style of Thorpe Partners Limited, a private limited company registered in England under company number 15181662) is a UK-based, founder-led executive search and leadership advisory firm specialising in technology and transformation leadership. Founded in 2019 by Mike Thorpe and co-founded with Mike Cook, the firm operates from Marlborough, England, and serves boards, CEOs, founders, and investors across the UK and EMEA with a globally described network reach. Its work is anchored in 27 years of relationship-building by Mike Thorpe within the technology leadership community.

The firm's revenue model rests on three professional services streams: (1) Retained Executive Search for C-Suite and senior technology and transformation leaders (CIO, CTO, CISO, Chief Transformation Officer) plus interim executives and succession planning, delivered under a retained fee model; (2) Non-Executive Recruitment for Chairs, NEDs, and committee chairs, also on a retained basis; and (3) TP100, an exclusive subscription membership programme offering career planning, quarterly one-to-one coaching, market intelligence, salary benchmarking, curated events, and personal brand support for technology and transformation leaders. Pricing is negotiated on a per-engagement basis and not publicly disclosed.

There is no proprietary technology platform; the offering is delivered through human expertise, methodology, and a long-tenured senior network. The firm augments its core services through strategic partnerships (The CIO Circle as official recruitment partner, Hopeful Minds for executive coaching, Intercor for IT procurement and cost optimisation) and supports two charities (National Autistic Society, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust). Marketing is content- and community-led, anchored by the Shift Happens podcast, an Insights & Events blog, email newsletter, and curated TP100 events.

Name

THORPE PARTNERS LTD

Legal name

Thorpe Partners Limited

Website

https://thorpeandpartners.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Thorpe & Partners is a UK-based, founder-led executive search and leadership advisory firm specialising in retained C-Suite, senior technology, and Non-Executive Director appointments, with a TP100 membership programme serving technology and transformation leaders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Marlborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search - C-Suite & Senior Level Recruitment: Retained search engagements for placing C-Suite, board-level, and senior technology and transformation leaders. Operates on a retained fee model, typically multi-stage engagements with commitment to delivering high-impact placements.
2. Non-Executive Recruitment: Retained search services for appointing Non-Executive Directors, Chairs, and committee chairs. Works with boards, CEOs, founders, and investors to identify leaders whose expertise, values and long-term perspective align with organisational strategic goals.
3. TP100 Membership Programme: Exclusive membership programme for technology and transformation leaders offering career planning, quarterly coaching sessions, exclusive events, market insights, salary benchmarking, strategic introductions, and personal brand support. Operates on a membership subscription model.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Thorpe & Partners is a UK-based retained executive search and leadership advisory firm specializing in technology and transformation leadership. It places C-Suite, board-level, and senior technology leaders, recruits Non-Executive Directors and chairs for boards, and runs the TP100 membership programme offering career planning, coaching, salary benchmarking, and personal brand support to individual technology and transformation leaders.

Product overview

Thorpe & Partners is a UK-based executive search and leadership advisory firm specializing in technology and transformation leadership. The company operates three core service lines: (1) Retained Executive Search for C-Suite and senior level recruitment including succession planning, (2) Non-Executive Recruitment for board-level appointments, and (3) the TP100 membership programme for career acceleration and personal brand development. Additionally, the company publishes the 'Shift Happens' thought leadership podcast series covering technology leadership topics. The firm partners with organizations including The CIO Circle, Hopeful Minds, and Intercor, and supports two charities: The National Autistic Society and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retained Executive Search Retained search service placing C-Suite, board-level, and senior technology and transformation leaders (CIO, CTO, CISO, Chief Transformation Officer). Engagements cover retained search, interim executives, change leaders, and succession planning for enterprise clients.
• Non-Executive Recruitment Retained search service appointing Non-Executive Directors, Chairs, and committee chairs for boards, CEOs, founders, and investors. Focuses on building strategic-value boards with diverse talent across governance, risk, transformation, and technology competencies.
• TP100 Membership Programme Subscription-based membership programme for technology and transformation leaders providing personalised career planning, quarterly one-to-one coaching sessions, market insights, salary benchmarking, curated networking events, and personal brand support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 27 years of C-Suite and senior level placements in technology leadership

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The CIO CirclecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2024Thorpe & Partners serves as the official recruitment partner to The CIO Circle, a global networking platform for technology leaders. The partnership provides TP100 members and broader network with career planning advice, insider tips, and leadership opportunity promotion. T&P gains access to The CIO Circle's substantial network of technology leaders for candidate sourcing and client engagement.
• Hopeful MindsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHopeful Minds works with purpose-driven leaders and teams to achieve successful, joy-filled and sustainable cultures through their Culture Curators™ programme. Provides ICF qualified executive coaching and complimentary services to T&P's network, enhancing the advisory service offering for candidates and clients.
• IntercorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntercor is a trusted partner in developing and executing technology strategies, IT procurement, and cost optimisation plans. The combined expertise of T&P and Intercor enhances shareholder value and equips company executives with the tools to drive growth and boost productivity.
• National Autistic SocietyminorOthersThe National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for autistic people. Thorpe & Partners actively supports the charity, which campaigns for improved rights and trains companies on being more autism-friendly. The partnership helps broaden understanding of neurodiversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Dame Kelly Holmes TrustminorOthersDame Kelly Holmes Trust puts world-class athletes shoulder to shoulder with young people, equipping them with a winning mindset through mentorship programmes. T&P is proud to actively support this charity, which helps improve wellbeing and confidence of young people in education, community and health settings.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search leader with deep technology and services practices placing senior technology executives and board members. Closest tier-one direct competitor on C-Suite and NED mandates.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with strong technology and board practices. Comparable in offering retained C-Suite search alongside leadership advisory and assessment.
• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search firm with one of the strongest technology, media, and communications practices. Directly comparable in serving CIO, CTO, CISO, and transformation leadership mandates.
• Nigel Wright Group: UK-based executive search and recruitment firm with a strong consumer and technology practice placing C-Suite and senior leadership talent for growth and PE-backed businesses.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global retained executive search firm with substantial technology officer and digital leadership practices placing CIOs, CTOs, and transformation leaders for Fortune-level clients.
• Stott and May: UK-based technology-focused executive search firm placing senior technology leaders and transformation executives. Highly comparable given shared technology leadership niche and UK base.
• Harvey Nash Group: UK-headquartered technology recruitment and executive search firm placing CIOs, CTOs, and senior technology leaders. Closest UK-based direct competitor specifically serving technology leadership.
• Odgers Berndtson: UK-headquartered global executive search firm placing C-Suite and board-level leaders across multiple sectors. Most direct geographic and segment competitor to Thorpe & Partners' retained search and NED offering.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with one of the largest executive search practices, serving technology and transformation leadership appointments as part of a much broader HR consulting portfolio.

Emerging players

• EMCS (Executive Management Consulting Services) / Wexler Search: Specialist boutique executive search firm focused on technology and digital leadership appointments, comparable in scale and niche positioning to Thorpe & Partners' retained search practice.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/mikecookoim

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THORPE PARTNERS LTD